Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz, also making his league debut, were then introduced after Sergio Canales struck to cancel out Luka Modric's early opener.

Solari's call was justified, though, as Ceballos stepped up to down his old club by scoring the winner with a 20-yard free-kick in the 88th minute.

And with Marcelo also an unused substitute, youngster Sergio Reguilon preferred at left-back, Solari explained his selection to a news conference.

"We played a serious game, we are who we are and we are all the team," Solari said.

"It is made up of those who play and those who do not play.

"In no way is there anything personal.

100% - Real Madrid under Santiago Solari have won 100% of their games without Isco Alarcon in all competitions (6/6), compared to 63.6% with him (7/11). Debate. pic.twitter.com/SdJVtz5Ugs
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 13, 2019

"The squad is what it is and we all do our best, I as a coach, and everyone can play, they are all part of the squad.

"Ceballos has these colours in his heart and it is always emotional to return to the places he left.

"Football has that magic of the law of the ex that always hurts, today it was in our favour and it is one of those things that are repeated every so often."